Kerr, Harrison, 1897-1978

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Harrison Kerr (b. Cleveland, Ohio, October 13, 1897; d. Norman, Oklahoma, August 1978) was an American composer of contemporary classical music, editor, administrator, and educator.

He studied in Cleveland, Ohio with James H. Rogers, in Paris with Nadia Boulanger. From 1949 to 1969, he served as professor of music and dean at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma.

He also served as the first Executive Secretary of the American Music Center (which he helped to found) as well as the first Executive Secretary of the American Composers Alliance. In addition, he served on the editorial boards of New Music Editions and New Music Quarterly Recordings.

Among his many works are four symphonies and an opera entitled The Tower of Kel (1958–60). His music is recorded on the Composers Recordings, Inc. label.

Bibliography
Kohlenberg, Randy B. (1997). Harrison Kerr: Portrait of a Twentieth-Century American Composer. Composers of North America series, no. 23. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0-8108-3258-5. ISBN 978-0-8108-3258-9.

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HARRISON KERR (b. Cleveland OH, October 13, 1897 - d. Norman OK, August 15, 1978) had a distinguished career as a composer, educator and advocate for American composers.

His musical language combines linear chromaticism, vertical dissonances built largely from triads and perfect intervals, strong rhythms and a feeling for classical form and gesture. Highlights of his compositional output include an opera, The Tower of Kel (1958-60), 2 works for chorus and orchestra, three symphonies, violin concerto, 2 piano sonatas, 2 string quartets, and a violin concerto (1955), which features a very personal approach to the twelve-tone system.

Kerr studied in his hometown with James H. Rogers and later with Nadia Boulanger in Paris. He returned to the United States in 1921, first returning to Cleveland, then settling briefly in West Virginia, and subsequently New York City where he began an extensive career as an administrator. He was the editor of Trend, a magazine of contemporary arts, and an active writer and lecturer about contemporary music, contributing articles to Musical America, the American Magazine of Art, lecturing to the National Association of Broadcasters and various music teachers' associations across the country.

In addition to serving as the first Executive Secretary of the American Music Center, he served as first Executive Secretary of the American Composers Alliance and on the editorial boards of New Music Editions and New Music Quarterly Recordings.

After World War II, he was appointed Chief of the Music, Art and Exhibits Section of the U. S. Army Civil Affairs Division. From 1949 until 1969, he was Professor of Music and Dean at the University of Oklahoma in Norman OK.

Although several recordings of Kerr's music were issued during his lifetime, including an excellent performance of his Violin Concerto on a CRI LP, none of his music is currently available on compact disc.

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